Jack Straw today admitted the war to topple Saddam Hussein had been divisive but said the international community now had to work together to make the country free and stable.

And he told the Labour Party Conference it was vital to fight the scourge of international terrorism and protect the West's values of freedom and democracy.

Mr Straw linked the struggle in Iraq to the fight against Adolf Hitler in the 1930s and 40s and against apartheid in South Africa in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

He made clear there could be no negotiations with the terrorists who recently released a video of Ken Bigley, 62, caged and shackled, pleading with Tony Blair to save his life.

And he dismissed Tory Leader Michael Howard's claims that the Prime Minister had lied to the nation before British troops marched on Baghdad.

Mr Straw was seeking to prevent an embarrassing defeat for himself and the Labour leadership over an emergency resolution calling for a deadline to be set for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq.

After hours of intensive negotiations last night the big trade unions appeared ready to save the Government's skin.

Mr Straw, who faced strong criticism from the floor of the Labour conference, admitted: "The situation today in Iraq is difficult.

"But let us be clear. The agenda which the Iraq government and people are seeking to follow is one set by them and endorsed by the whole of the international community.

"The Iraq war was divisive in this country and around the world. But what has followed is something I frankly did not expect - a new resolve by all concerned to make the United Nations and international co-operation work better."